Spinone Italiano: temperament, size, care and health

About the Spinone Italiano

The Spinone Italiano is a big, sturdy, rugged-looking dog with a long head, thick eyebrows, a bushy mustache and beard, and a coat of rough, wiry hair. Its look is old-fashioned and a little disheveled. Colors are solid white, white with orange or brown markings, or roan. A long, low-set tail was once typically docked, though it may now be left natural.

The breed was developed in northern Italy to find and retrieve game on varied ground, including thorny brush and marsh. Unlike lighter pointers, it works at a methodical trot, which suits hunters on foot. Today it also appeals to families who admire its calm, goofy and affectionate character.

Temperament and family life

The Spinone is gentle, sociable and patient, and is often described as a soft-hearted clown. It is usually excellent with children and other pets, and tends to be welcoming to strangers, so it is a poor guard dog although it will bark at unusual sounds. It wants to be with people and does badly when left alone.

Big and slow to mature, a young Spinone can be clumsy and strong without meaning to cause damage. Some drool, especially when it drinks, and the beard picks up water and food. The breed can be stubborn and sensitive, so harsh methods backfire. A Spinone is best raised inside the house.

Exercise and training

A Spinone needs moderate daily exercise, such as a long walk, a hike or a swim, with some safe off-leash running. It is less frantic than other pointing breeds. Young dogs should not be pushed into hard running or jumping on hard ground before their joints finish developing.

Training should be steady and positive. The Spinone learns well but can be slow and easily bored by repetition. Praise and food work better than force. It does well in hunt tests, tracking and obedience. A solid recall requires patient work because the breed will follow a scent, and a secure fence is wise.

Grooming and shedding

The wiry coat sheds little, but it needs attention. Brush it weekly with a comb or slicker brush and strip dead hair by hand a couple of times a year to keep texture. Clipping is common among pet owners but softens the coat.

The beard and mustache soak up water and food, so they need regular wiping and washing, and some owners find the smell strong. Check the ears for dirt and moisture, since the long pendant ears are prone to infection. The hair on the feet and between the toes should be trimmed. Expect some drool and tracked-in water.

Health

Hip dysplasia is a known concern for a dog of this size. Bloat is a risk in deep-chested breeds. The Spinone also has cerebellar ataxia, a progressive neurological disease, and cerebral folate deficiency, both of which have DNA tests. Ear infections, eyelid problems and allergies occur. Breeders should test hips, elbows and the DNA conditions. Like many big dogs, the Spinone has a modest lifespan. This is general information, and a veterinarian is the right person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The modern Spinone developed in Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, in the nineteenth century. Its numbers were much reduced after the Second World War, and fanciers rebuilt the breed from about 1950. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 2000.

Is the Spinone Italiano right for you?

A Spinone suits a family with a large home and a yard, and with time for companionship. It is a good choice for those who admire a shaggy, mild-mannered dog and are willing to deal with drool and a damp beard.

It is not suited to tiny apartments, to fastidious households or to those who want a high-speed sport dog. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is smaller and quicker, and the Bracco Italiano is another Italian pointer with a short coat. The Clumber Spaniel is a slower, heavy-set option for a quiet household.